Carlos Campano's MX3 World Championship title a first for Spain.

Edited copy courtesy of Youthstream

It was a great final MX3 weekend in Geneva. The weather was sunny and hot, races were interesting and spectators satisfied organizer's expectations. Carlos Campano came to Switzerland with 32 points advantage over Alex Salvini. Home rider Julien Bill (KTM) and Jeremy Delince (KTM) from Belgium were fighting for top positions in the race. Bill took the holeshot in the first heat and after also a big advantage in front of Alex Salvini who finished second. Third was Jeremy Delince (KTM) who took the pole position on Saturday. Gregory Wicht (DB Team) from Switzerland made one of his best races this year, he finished fourth in the first heat. Carlos Campano didn't start on the top but fifth place was enough that he took the World Champion title already after the first heat.


In the second heat Julien Bill started with the holeshot, in the second heat Salvini was closer. The Italian tried to pass Bill but made a mistake and lost some seconds. Campano confirmed his title with the third place. Bill took the overall win, Salvini finished second and Delince third. Campano missed top three by two points.

Carlos Campano, 24 year old rider from Sevilla is new MX3 World Champion.  Photo courtesy of Youthstream.

Campano started riding when he was seven and this is the most successful season for him. From the beginning he had a fight for top positions with Alex Salvini but Spanish temperament was stronger this year. Campano made a big success not only for him and his team but also for Spain as this the first Spanish motocross World Champion Title.


Alex Salvini finished second and took his second MX3 Vice World Champion Title after last year. Slovenian Matevz Irt is third rider of the MX3 World Championship, what is his best result ever. This was the best season for Martin Zerava (UFO Racing), too. Czech rider finished fourth and improved his seventh position from previous seasons. Milko Potisek (Honda, France) took fifth place in the Championship.

Yamaha took the manufacturers title in front of Husqvarna and Honda.


RIDER'S COMMENTS – RACE RESULTS

1st – JULIEN BILL (Switzerland): "Yesterday I finished second in the Qualifyiing practice and after that result I was very motivated for the race. The track was better than yesterday and I could ride more smooth. It is great to have the World Championship round at home in Geneva and I am glad that I could compete in front of my fans. Thank to all my sponsors and everyone who was supporting me today."



2nd – ALEX SALVINI (Italy): "I had problems with my ancle the whole weekend, I have a big pain. I would like thank to Italian doctor who helped me that I was able to compete. In first heat I had some problems with suspension but second heat was better. I was trying to catch Bill, then I made a mistake and I almost crashed. In that moment one rider jumped on my back so I lost some time. I am disappointed because I wanted to win on my birthday which I have today but I finished only second."



3rd – JEREMY DELINCE (Belgium): "The track was so difficult but I had a good feeling. Today I didn't find myself very well on the track because it was soaked of watering. After it became better and better. Yesterday I made the fastest lap and took the pole position. But the first heat was not very successful for me today. In the second heat I was fighting with Campano but I couldn't pass him. I am happy for my result."


RIDER'S COMMENTS – CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATION

World Champion – CARLOS CAMPANO (Spain): "This track was difficult and I had so many problems with overtaking. At the begining I had to fight and push a lot because I didn't start really good. The whole year was good in general and I am so happy for the World Champion title. During the season I had actually only one problem in Spanish round. The biggest thank for everything is going to my family and team."

Vice Champion – ALEX SALVINI (Italy): "The season was good but my goal was World Title. I finished second in the Championship again. My best moment was in Greece where I won and took the red plate. We had really a big and interesting fight with Carlos during the whole season and that was so great. We had lot of fun but Carlos was more constant at the end. Of course I have also some bad memories, in Slovakia I injured my knee and that was a problem in every following race. I want thank to my team manager Andrea Bartolini for all his support."

3rd in the Championship – MATEVZ IRT (Slovenia): "I had an excellent season. Before the first round I didn't know what I can expect this year. Everything went well and most of the season I wasin the top three. I came to the final round with 20 points of advantage in front of Zerava and I kept my position. My best moment this year was my home race in Slovenia where I was riding in front of my people. Thank to my family, team manager Giovanni Bonetti and mechanic Roberto."

RESULTS

1st Race top ten: 1. Julien Bill (SUI, KTM), 34:59.178; ; 2. Alex Salvini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:16.859; 3. Jeremy Delince (BEL, KTM), +0:22.363; 4. Gregory Wicht (SUI, Honda), +0:23.774; 5. Carlos Campano Jiminez (ESP, Yamaha), +0:26.258; 6. Matevz Irt (SLO, Husqvarna), +0:41.552; 7. Oswald Reisinger (AUT, Suzuki), +0:53.387; 8. Frantisek Smola (CZE, Suzuki), +0:57.837; 9. Martin Zerava (CZE, Honda), +1:00.393; 10. Romain Billerey (FRA, Yamaha), +1:06.276

2nd Race top ten: 1. Julien Bill (SUI, KTM), 34:55.019; ; 2. Alex Salvini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:08.962; 3. Carlos Campano Jiminez (ESP, Yamaha), +0:12.052; 4. Jeremy Delince (BEL, KTM), +0:16.661; 5. Matevz Irt (SLO, Husqvarna), +0:22.448; 6. Gregory Wicht (SUI, Honda), +0:46.883; 7. Romain Billerey (FRA, Yamaha), +0:58.345; 8. Michael Staufer (AUT, KTM), +1:01.793; 9. Andreas Schmidinger (AUT, Honda), +1:20.795; 10. Martin Zerava (CZE, Honda), +1:26.206

Overall standings: 1. Julien Bill (SUI, KTM), 50 points; 2. Alex Salvini (ITA, Husqvarna), 44 p.; 3. Jeremy Delince (BEL, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Carlos Campano Jiminez (ESP, Yamaha), 36 p.; 5. Gregory Wicht (SUI, Honda), 33 p.; 6. Matevz Irt (SLO, Husqvarna), 31 p.; 7. Romain Billerey (FRA, Yamaha), 25 p.; 8. Martin Zerava (CZE, Honda), 23 p.; 9. Frantisek Smola (CZE, Suzuki), 22 p.; 10. Michael Staufer (AUT, KTM), 21 p.;

Final Championship classification: 1. Carlos Campano Jiminez (ESP, Yamaha), 526 points; 2. Alex Salvini (ITA, Husqvarna), 502 p.; 3. Matevz Irt (SLO, Husqvarna), 376 p.; 4. Martin Zerava (CZE, Honda), 348 p.; 5. Milko Potisek (FRA, Honda), 290 p.; 6. Frantisek Smola (CZE, Suzuki), 249 p.; 7. Victor Dario Arco (ARG, Yamaha), 247 p.; 8. Petr Michalec (CZE, Honda), 208 p.; 9. Gregory Wicht (SUI, Honda), 178 p.; 10. Michael Staufer (AUT, KTM), 87 p.